I am looking for suggestions on an espresso blend that can give me a rich caramel flavor, while being a bit forgiving temp-wise in my Elektra MCAL. Lighter side of a medium roast is probably a way to go. I want to stay away from the high-price outfits, and would prefer 16oz bags.

Have tried Red Bird Blue Jag. Fairmountain espresso blend is too dark for my purposes. I know some folks have suggested that I can ask Fairmountain for a lighter roast on their espresso blend, and I may try that, if I can find no better options.

Well, I went ahead and ordered four pounds of coffee from Metropolis: 2 lbs of Redline, one of ...Schweik's... and one of La Cordillera.All roasted on the 24-th (today is the 28-th).Tried them all today; looking for that perfect dial for my Electra MCAL.No joy: no matter what I do all come out very sour.Went back to Redbird's Blue Jag (as a control), and that one still pulls as usual.Metropolis roast does seem a lot lighter, but apart from that I am not sure what causes the sour taste.I tried to vary fineness and weight (13 gm - 16 gm), and even temp.Even when I let the MCAL overheat, the shot is sour (as opposed to the usual bitter). Totally stumped.

Not sure, I had La Cordillera and liked it, and Redline was pry the best coffee I've had in a long time, friends ordered it too after being at the house and having it and loved it. Neither was close to sour, generally that would point to temps being low but if you let the Mcal run at higher temps and still had that issue no idea there. I was dosing 16-17G. Yeh Redline was pry the lightest "espresso" blend I've had, yet oddly especially in milk was so chocolately/caramel like, didn't have the brightness I thought it would be like just looking at the beans.

Well, it was the coffee not the machine. Both Metropolis (Redline, La Cordillera, Schweik) and Redbird (Blue Jag) beans were producing nasty shots. I ordered again from Fair Mountain, and their House Blend works just great. Excellent shots no problems, right from the start, in both the Cremina and the MCAL. Cremina gives more volume, but MCAL was also good in either single or double pull.Live and learn.

Well, it was the coffee not the machine. Both Metropolis (Redline, La Cordillera, Schweik) and Redbird (Blue Jag) beans were producing nasty shots. I ordered again from Fair Mountain, and their House Blend works just great. Excellent shots no problems, right from the start, in both the Cremina and the MCAL. Cremina gives more volume, but MCAL was also good in either single or double pull.Live and learn.

Pendel, in fairness, the coffees above all need 7-8 days of post roast de-gassing before they are ready for Prime Time.This is especially true with lighter roasts, and especially more true with Red Bird and Red Line.My best shots with both happen at day 10!!

Symbols: = New Posts since your last visit = No New Posts since last visit = Newest post

Forum Rules:No profanity, illegal acts or personal attacks will be tolerated in these discussion boards.No commercial posting of any nature will be tolerated; only private sales by private individuals, in the "Buy and Sell" forum.No SEO style postings will be tolerated. SEO related posts will result in immediate ban from CoffeeGeek.No cross posting allowed - do not post your topic to more than one forum, nor repost a topic to the same forum.Who Can Read The Forum? Anyone can read posts in these discussion boards.Who Can Post New Topics? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post new topics.Who Can Post Replies? Any registered CoffeeGeek member can post replies.Can Photos be posted? Anyone can post photos in their new topics or replies.Who can change or delete posts? Any CoffeeGeek member can edit their own posts. Only moderators can delete posts.Probationary Period: If you are a new signup for CoffeeGeek, you cannot promote, endorse, criticise or otherwise post an unsolicited endorsement for any company, product or service in your first five postings.